Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has seen shipping projects extend into December and beyond just minutes following the opening of pre-orders, underscoring strong demand and restricted supply before its October 23 release.
As per Bloomberg, delivery estimates on the Cupertino-based tech giant’s online store were pushed back for both colour options and all storage configurations, ranging from 256GB to 2TB. The device price initiates at US$1,999.
Apple iPhone Duo pre-orders started
Customers reported facing delayed delivery dates despite following Apple's recommendations to reserve their preferred colour and storage capacity in advance for enhancing their chances of receiving the device on an urgent basis.
A report suggested Apple retail stores exhausted their release-day stock almost immediately after kicking off the pre-orders at 8am in New York on Friday.
The rapid sellout suggests that securing Apple’s first foldable handset could prove challenging for customers hoping to buy it at release.
The pre-order rush contrasts with the release of Apple's flagship iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in September, when customers who ordered on time faced a smoother buying process.
Apple shares saw a significant raise of 1.8% before markets opened in New York after the strong initial demand for the new device.
Despite the early enthusiasm, supply constraints could limit the number of units accessible during the initial launch period.
Counterpoint Research estimated last month that Apple would sell approximately six million iPhone Duo units this year.
However, customers who miss out on pre-orders may still have an opportunity to purchase the device in person. Apple typically reserves some inventory for walk-in customers on release day, potentially bringing back queues outside Apple stores and mobile carrier outlets.
With shipping estimates already extending beyond the launch date, buyers may face a longer wait to get their hands on Apple's first foldable iPhone.
